Well, it's been over a year and a half since I purchased my FD. For the time i've owned my car I have been saving money on the side. $20k to be exact. I started a new job recently and another $20k should be much easier to come by now. For what you ask? A 20b of course.

I really want in depth opinions whether you think I should throw my money away on such an endeavor (besides the obvious testosteron and adrenaline driven reasons). I wish for everyone to consider the following points in their opinions.

1. Posibility of a 4th gen Rx-7 (in 2006-2007).

2. The fact that the FD's looks are aging (even with '99 spec parts updates)

3. Newer cars are becoming lighter and faster (narrowing 20b's performance advantage).

4. Newer engine technology advancements and rotary designs (Renesis).

5. Depreciation of money invested in the project.

6. Maintenence to keep the 20b going.

7. The year(s) until the project is finally complete (see #1.)

8. (insert yours here)

Honestly guys, still gonna be worth it in a couple of years?

 

since u live in california the 20b convresion will not only cost you a lot of money but you will also have to deal with emmisions and drive a non-street legal car on the street. i would save the 20k sell the fd and put a deposit on a lotus elise (around 50-60k) you will have a new car that will run 12's stock.

 

You have some valid points there. Here is my perspective. I like the 20B for what it is. For a time, I wasn't sure what to install it in. All I knew is that I needed the engine for the engine (does that make sense?).

I've now had it for over a year and it's not on the road yet. I estimate it'll be roadworthy some time next month, if I'm not distracted by too many other things.

You really need to look inside yourself and decide if this is ultimately the right decision for you. Oh, and I can't stand the way new cars look. The dog's breakfast, and all that.

 

Mazda will not release a 3 rotor unless there is a break-through in efficiency performance.  It just drinks too much gas.

Whatever the next generation RX-7 comes out, it will be 2 rotors, and it will be choked down with emission and OBD (3?) engine monitoring and control.

I suspect the target price for the new RX-7 will be around $40k by the time it is released.

No 2 rotor is going to make 500 to 600hp to the wheels as effortless as a 20B.  The power headroom to get close to 1000hp is also there.

Styling is subjective.
The FD3S is not what I consider "the best"; I'm partial to Ferrari myself.


-Ted

 

i`m with ted on that , if the renisis was such a breakthrough abel ibarra and the likes would be using them not the 20b , it is wat it is , an impressive engine and yes its tru ,there could be an 4th gen around the corner , then again does the newer rx8 look better then the 7 ........opinions might differ but in my book the 7 looks better (point is the "4th gen" 7 could look like *** too )

 

My biggest fear is that I will invest so much money on a car that is so past it's prime. I really like the Lotus idea however, I really want to stick to rotary.

Should I just save my money and hope (pray) that a 4th gen is released so that I can dump thousands into that? What do you think?

 

I Look at Evil Aviators FC every weekend in my garage. It has been in there in various states since before I built the garage.. .. wait.. it was in my carport and he was off to the military.. OK.. well .. AFTER the garage was built it went in there.
He has a LOT invested in it.. and still more to go to wehre he wants it.. And ya know what.. he loves the car. (Not to put words in his mouth)
I myself love it also.. it is my baby.. even though it isnt my car LOL..

Now.. he has a lot of stuff that happened.. changes in the plan along the way.. etc.. career changes (Getting out of the military) and the car is very close.. but not there yet.

Are you willing to do one of two things to have a 20B....

1. Throw it together and cut corners when needed to make it work.
2. Make it the end all of cars best baddest *** car, as you see it.. and take the risk of it taking 3-4 years to complete?.... Or MORE?

If you do 1.. you will have a fun ride that will NOT win carshows... cause there are people with 20K in a 13B car that will destroy you in looks..
If you do 2.. you may have issues being pissed.. and obsessing over every detail to the point you will NEVER finish it..
I can think of one VERY well known 3rd gen that the owner is having a lot of fun building.. and was originally going to be a 20B.. and now is a LT1.. ahem... and it is gorgeous.. and may or may not make it to the street... but he is enjoying his car. /shrug

What do you want from a 20B?? TO be the baddest bitch you know?? Or to be married to a car that is never done?
You need to decide why you want a 20B...
Dont take it wrong.. but you sound like you want it for the status.. not the 20B specifically... hence the mention of the 8 and the "new" 7...
If that is what you want.. you may wanna look at alternatives to a big project. You will have a garage queen for a long time.. or a ratty 20B that is not quite what you want in a lot of areas..

 

get the best of both worlds. buy an Rx8, then put a 20B in it. there was a shop that did it already! i havent seen the numbers yet, but it should be nice. i dont really know where to stand on the looks of the RX8. it looks like the rest of mazdas 2004 line up. the mazda 6, which is a 4 door mazda 3, they both look the same, i dunno if its intentional or not, but if it is, they did a REAL good job of doing it. id like to see what Mazda has in mind for the next RX7, or whatever they are gonna call it. 2 things. it better have a turbo version, and it better not look gay. just my two cents

 

I definity don't intend to cut corners, that's for sure. I'm more likely to take a few years in the project to get it done perfectly.

With talk about a new 7 around the horizon, i'd hate to be caught with my pants down on a half completed project and people enjoying their new 7's. That's probably my biggest holdback.

I appreciate everyone's input thus far. Thanks.

 

One other item to be addressed is financial planning. You went through the time/effort to save $20K in liquid assets? To be honest, why throw it away on a car which is a terrible investment... Not that I'm one to talk as I've spent waay too much on mine already and it is still a garage queen. However, why not invest the money into a home or fund so you make more money and/or equity off of it and since you are unsure of what you want, make money on your money and when you are actually ready to commit than hit it full force and get it done right away so you actually enjoy it.

 

Turbo 3 does have a point, along with everyone else. My 2 cents. I would save the money and invest etc for 2 years or so, if you can. Wait to see what comes up next in the rx lineup, and decide then. If you do decide to go with a 20b after that time you should probably have enough money saved up. Pettit can do the full conversion for you for like $35,000. Probably wouldn't take as long as if you DIY. Just make sure you do what "YOU"want and make sure you will be able to stick to it.

 

Yeah, I know the 20b would have a negative return as an investment. I've actually dumped most of money into stocks. The money for the 20b came from bonus commission money. "What the heck. You only live once." was my attitude for considering the project. Most likely I will buy more stock and wait for a 4th gen (will hold my breath). Well, off to give my 13b a wild street port! Thanks alot guys.

 

You keep talking about "the new rx7". You could wait for years for the next one to come out. It's not always about having the newest latest toys because the next one could be another rx8.

-Destin

 

here's a fun one: the "next 7" might not even make it

 

1. if you want a 20b fd, build one, mazda wont.
2. yeah, they are 12years old already
3. elise?
4. the probably wont have a 3 rotor renny, the 3 rotor is; hot, and thirsy. if people get under 20mpg in the rx8 there is no hope for a 3 rotor. its a 50% milage penalty.
5. consider the money gone, granted on the other side of the coin you can spend the same amount on an fd and still have it stock....
6. mine wanst really any worse than the 2 rotor
7. mine took the initial 6 months to get it running and then another 3-4 to get it right. i did NO cosmetic work though, that would have taken a lot longer

8. how are you going to smog it? you've done a lot of planning it seems to ignore a significant problem. illegal smogs are expensive, and hard to find. the 3 rotor will not pass the visual either.

 

^I have a few friends (no names mentioned) that own well known performance shops and smogging shops. That won't be a problem.

I have hope of a new 7. Com'on guys, have a little faith in Mazda.

 

I would never use "investment" and "20B RX7" in the same sentence. Someone who does a wild swap like this does it because they love rotaries and rx7s and projects. The payoff for a project like that is doing it yourself and doing a good job. If you go into it with the mindset "im NEVER going to get any money back on this project", you will be fine. Hot rods are the same way, you build one because you love it. Even though building a 20b FD can hit 40k including the car, i would still do it because i love projects like that. Besides, 40k for an ULTRARARE "supercar" doesnt seem all that bad ( not that i could afford that). Either way, choose something that is fun and will make you happy, dont mire yourself in something that you arent really into!

 

they fd is worth what? 18k? and the 20b swap will run you 20k? give or take 5k. (say 25k) so if 20k will come easy in the next year and you have 20k already and the car is worth 14-18k WALK AWAY!
55-56k i recommend a maserati GT coupe 70-80k and about 390hp 6spd and it will have the newer look you might desire. a 2006-2007 rx7 w/ a 13b (non-turbo) OR a 13b renesis turbo'd will not have the torque of a 20b or 20bTT or 20b-T.

this is coming from someone dumping 20k into a m1 miata.

i recommend you look into the 60-80k exotics you can have it payed in full in about 2 yrs and I think you'll find that they are more rliable as you know by the 13b-t you have now.

a 20b would be great but are you looking for 550+rwhp to drive around or will 400hp daily be fine?

 

QUOTE: My biggest fear is that I will invest so much money on a car that is so past it's prime. I really like the Lotus idea however, I really want to stick to rotary.


People spend well over 100k on old 30s-40s-50s hot rods that are "way past their prime", but it doesnt mean that they arent really cool cars. If you want something special, 20B is definitely that. Technology is always advancing, do you pick technology over something that you really like? If it doesnt make you happy, then no point in making an unhappy decision.

I can see the point on the 20k house investment though....

 

lotus elise is 40K total

 

Again, it's been said. 20B in an RX-8. - Perfect.